North MCD, govt ink MoU to revive Naini Lake

The Naini Lake in New Delhi’s Model Town area will soon undergo a makeover with North Delhi and Municipal Corporation entering a Memorandum of Understanding for its development in order to make the lake an attractive destination for tourism. The tourism department has made a detailed plan to beautify the lake after a host of complaints from the residents.

Delhi Tourism Minister, Kapil Mishra and North Delhi Mayor, Ravinder Gupta agreed upon to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for re-development, rejuvenation and beautification of the dead lake. Mishra informed that Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation will take over the lake from North MCD for beautification. He said that the Delhi government will revive and beautify the lake to the next level which would be an attractive destination for tourism.

The North MCD Mayor said that the physical possession of lake, which is in an area of one acre surrounded by residential area, has been with DTTDC since 1992 and after fresh representation by DTTDC the engagement will be continued in a year-to-year basis, subject to fulfillment of terms and conditions. He also said that it is not a transfer of land but granting licence for boating and supporting activities in the lake on a revenue sharing basis at 12.5 per cent between North Delhi Municipal Corporation and DTTDC Ltd as per terms and conditions agreed upon. This is a unique move to improve the lake in a natural manner for the sake of environment improvement which would certainly be an attractive tourist spot.

In an earlier meeting with the Mayor, the residents had said the water body should be developed in an eco-friendly manner instead of artificial beautification of the lake. Residents had demanded that heavy fine to be imposed on people who throw garbage in the lake. 

Notably, the lake is under the jurisdiction of the North MCD and the civic agency had leased out the water body to the tourism department, which operates a boating facility on the spot. 

However, the lease has expired now. The lake has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and it becomes difficult to go near the lake during summers as it smells of dead fish when the water level reduces.